# What would you like to hear today?

You might like the steady texture of rain, the rise and fall of waves, or small sounds in a forest. Listen to a short excerpt, then choose where you would like to rest your attention today.

[Try one minute first](https://oat-meditation.com/en/tools/waves/)

Reviewed: 2026-10-10
Canonical: https://oat-meditation.com/en/learn/nature-sounds/

## Compare how it sounds before choosing a scene

Notice whether a sound is continuous or has clear gaps, and whether it is subtle or draws your attention. These are starting points, rather than a ranking of which sound is best.

| Sound | What to listen for | Find it in Oat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Light Rain | The fine layers of raindrops and how they fit your surroundings. | Sound Meditation · Light Rain |
| Waves | The rise and fall as waves approach and recede. | Sound Meditation · Waves |
| Little Forest | Small sounds with gaps and variations. | Sound Meditation · Little Forest |
| Underwater | A lower, more continuous underwater texture. | Sound Meditation · Underwater |


## Listen for 30 seconds

These are actual sound excerpts exported from the Oat app: 30 seconds each of Little Forest and Underwater, without narration or background music. Audio loads when you choose to play it.

They show these two recordings, rather than every option in Sound Meditation. Pause, listen again or try the other sound to compare.

- [Little Forest — 30 seconds · No narration or music](https://oat-meditation.com/assets/audio/little-forest-30s.mp3)
- [Underwater — 30 seconds · No narration or music](https://oat-meditation.com/assets/audio/underwater-30s.mp3)

## What can you notice in a minute of listening?

Choose a sound and a comfortable sitting position. Notice sounds appearing, changing and leaving gaps. When a thought takes your attention, return to one sound you can hear now.

The recording does not need to hold all of your attention. You can also hear the room and feel the floor beneath your feet. Stop or switch sounds if you do not enjoy this one.


## Choose a sound, or choose a place?

Sound Meditation starts with a sound, such as Little Forest or Waves. Travel Meditation starts with a place, combining several environmental audio tracks into a scene, such as a lakeside cabin or a night train.

In the app, edit sound combinations and choose practice settings to suit your preferences. The short previews on this page contain two individual sounds, rather than the app’s full mixing and practice features.

- [Explore Sound Meditation](https://oat-meditation.com/en/#sounds)
- [Listen to waves online](https://oat-meditation.com/en/tools/waves/)
- [Explore Travel Meditation](https://oat-meditation.com/en/#travel)
- [Listen to the Lakeside Cabin soundscape](https://oat-meditation.com/en/tools/lakeside-cabin/)

## Choose what fits your day

For a first meditation, try a guided voice session, then explore environmental sounds. Before bed, you might prefer less talking and a comfortable sound without prominent changes.

The content is for listening, awareness and everyday relaxation. It does not promise a particular sleep or health outcome. Read the product guide and current app for free download and membership details.

- [Read the five-minute first practice](https://oat-meditation.com/en/learn/start-meditating/)
- [Read the wind-down guide](https://oat-meditation.com/en/learn/wind-down/)
- [See download and membership information](https://oat-meditation.com/en/#download)

## Make a little calm part of your day.

Explore more scenes, make your own sound mix and follow guided practices. Choose a session length that suits you.

[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/id6758367878)

iPhone & iPad · Free download with in-app purchases

## Keep reading

- [Start meditating](https://oat-meditation.com/en/learn/start-meditating/)
- [Wind down](https://oat-meditation.com/en/learn/wind-down/)

## Product references

- [Meet the app](https://oat-meditation.com/en/)
- [Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/id6758367878)
- [Terms of service](https://oat-meditation.com/terms-en)